Agenda for Adult Social Care & Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 8th January, 2009, 4.00pm
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Agenda and minutes
PDF 205 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Hove Town Hall. View directions
Contact: Kath Vlcek, Scrutiny Support Officer
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Procedural Business (copy attached) (a) Declaration of Substitutes – Where Councillors are unable to attend a meeting, a substitute Member from the same Political Group may attend, speak and vote in their place for that meeting.
(b) Declarations of Interest by all Members present of any personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the Members regard the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.
(c) Exclusion of Press and Public - To consider whether, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, or the nature of the proceedings, the press and public should be excluded from the meeting when any of the following items are under consideration.
NOTE: Any item appearing in Part 2 of the Agenda states in its heading the category under which the information disclosed in the report is exempt from disclosure and therefore not available to the public.
A list and description of the exempt categories is available for public inspection at Brighton and Hove Town Halls. Minutes: 42A. Declarations of Substitutes
42.1 There were none
42B. Declarations of Interest
42.2There were none.
42C. Declarations of Party Whip
42.3There were none.
42D. Exclusion of Press and Public
42.4In accordance with section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, it was considered whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of any items contained in the agenda, having regard to the nature of the business to be transacted and the nature of the proceedings and the likelihood as to whether, if members of the press and public were present, there would be disclosure to them of confidential or exempt information as defined in section 100I (1) of the said Act.
42.5RESOLVED – That the press and public be not excluded from the meeting.
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Minutes of the Previous Meeting (copy attached) Draft minutes of the 6 November 2008 Adult Social Care and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting (copy attached). Minutes: 43.1 RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2008 be approved and signed by the Chairman.
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Chairman's Communications Minutes:
44.1 The Chairman welcomed Councillor Rufus, who was replacing Councillor Randall on the Committee. The Chairman also welcomed Tom Hook, the new Head of Scrutiny for Brighton & Hove City Council, to the meeting.
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Public Questions The closing date for receipt of public questions was 12 noon on 31 December 2008.
No public questions have been received.
Minutes: 45.1 There were none. |
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Letters from Councillors No letters have been received.
Minutes: 46.1 There were none. |
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Notices of Motions referred from Council No Notices of Motion have been received.
Minutes: 47.1 There were none. |
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Member Training Session on 'Re-ablement' Presentation from the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing. Minutes: 48.1 Karin Divall, General Manager for Adult Social Care and Housing and Anne Hagan, General Manager for Provider Services, Older People’s Services, gave a joint presentation in which members were informed about how reablement was developing nationally and how this was being piloted and rolled out in Brighton & Hove. Both officers addressed Members’ queries following the presentation.
48.2 In response to a query about how residents with visual impairments would receive reablement, the committee heard that although the current roll-out had focussed on homecare services, the Sensory Team and occupational therapists were in the next phase. Service users of those services would be supported by the team to access the same opportunities for reablement. There was an RNIB worker within the Sensory Team.
48.3 In response to a query about how the scheme would address isolation problems, members heard that it had been recognised that social isolation was a problem for many older people, but it was felt that traditional home care was not the solution. Reablement was aimed at helping people to become more active and make more social contact.
48.4 In response to concerns about vulnerable people who may need repeat support, members heard that there was an annual review system; all service users would be included within this. Service users were able to have more reablement provision if this were needed, or alternatively other service options could be provided.
48.5 Members asked whether it would be possible to receive statistics on take-up of the service by age and requirement. It was agreed that this would be included in the progress report, due to come to the next Adult Social Care and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee in March 2009.
48.6 Members queried where the additional occupational therapy support would come from, as the service was already under pressure. Members were told that a new response team had already been formed. In addition, it was felt that the successful take up of reablement would help to reduce the waiting lists for occupational therapy services.
48.7 The committee thanked both Ms Divall and Ms Hagan for their presentation.
48.8 RESOLVED – that a report on reablement be brought to the March 2009 committee. |
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Councillor Ken Norman, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Minutes: 49.1 Councillor Norman gave a presentation to the committee about his priorities for Adult Social Care, and gave details of some of the work that was underway towards these priorities. Councillor Norman also responded to questions from the committee.
49.2 Members raised concerns regarding the number of talking bus stop key fobs that had not been issued. Councillor Norman said that he had not been aware that this was the case; the directorate would look into it and work with the RNIB to raise awareness of the surplus key fobs.
49.3 Members queried how the work to align computer systems was progressing. Philip Letchfield, Interim Head of Adult Social Care and Performance and Development said that locally the project with Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust (SPFT) to achieve single inputting onto systems was continuing. It was unlikely to be delivered until the following year as SPFT had to prioritise bringing together the different ICT systems across the Trust.
Nationally, the council was following initiatives to link councils to the NHS ICT ‘spine’, to develop a Common Assessment Framework and to develop the use of the NHS number in adult social care records. Brighton & Hove City Council was not in the first round of pilots for this work.
49.4 Committee members were concerned at the proposed link between Extra Care Housing with the Choice Based Lettings (CBL) system, as it was felt that CBL was not the most appropriate way in which to allocate Extra Care Housing. Joy Hollister, Director of Adult Social Care and Housing responded on behalf of Councillor Norman. Ms Hollister said that the local authority was only legally able to operate one allocations system, so there was a need to align CBL and Extra Care. Extra Care would only be offered to people to address social care needs rather than housing need. The Director offered to bring an update report to the March 2009 committee; this was welcomed.
49.5 The committee thanked Councillor Norman for his presentation.
49.6 RESOLVED – that a report on Extra Care Housing with Choice Based Lettings be brought to the March 2009 committee.
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Housing Revenue Budget Account (copy attached) Report of the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing. Minutes: 50.1 The committee received an outline report from Sue Chapman, Head of Finance Services (Housing and City Support). The final report was due to go to the Overview and Scrutiny Commission in February 2009.
50.2 Members asked for further information about how rent increases were calculated. The committee heard that central government assumed that rents would be increased by the RPI rate as at September 2008 and calculated the authority’s income on that basis. Central government also calculated the anticipated expenditure of the authority. By deducting the second amount from the first and applying a grant formula, central government would determine whether the authority needed additional subsidy or whether there would be a situation of ‘negative subsidy.’ Brighton & Hove City Council was in a position of negative subsidy and consequently paid central government approximately £2.5 million per year. The authority had received its determination for 2009/10; this had resulted in a slight increase in the negative subsidy being paid.
50.3 The committee heard that there was no scope to challenge the grant formula, but that it was necessary for each authority to check the calculations under that formula. The current subsidy system was under review as there was a surplus in the national ‘pot’.
50.4 In response to a query about whether the authority could spend more to reduce the negative subsidy, the committee heard that calculations were made on the basis of notional expense and so this would not work.
50.5 In response to a query about how the Local Delivery Vehicle (LDV) might affect the account, the committee were told that the LDV concerned capital expenditure of resources, so it would not affect the Revenue Account.
50.6 One member indicated that he did not consider the rent increase to be fair, particularly in the economic difficulties that were being experienced. It was agreed that he would raise this issue with the relevant Cabinet Member for their attention.
50.7 RESOLVED – That the report be noted.
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Commissioning Plan for Short-term Care Report of the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing.(copy to follow)
Minutes: 51.1 The committee received a verbal update on the progress with the Commissioning Plan for Short-term Care from Jane Macdonald, the Service Improvement Manager for Commissioning, prior to the full report due to come to ASCHOSC in March 2009.
51.2 Members commented that this might be a topic that could be usefully covered in a Member Development session. This was agreed as an item for the 2009/10 work programme.
51.3 RESOLVED – that the full report be brought to ASCHOSC in March 2009 and that the topic of Commissioning for Short-term Care be raised as a development area.
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Housing Procurement (copy attached) Report of the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing.
Minutes: 52.1 The committee considered a report on housing procurement. Joy Hollister, Director of Adult Social Care and Housing and Nick Hibberd, Assistant Director of Housing Management, answered members’ questions.
52.2 Members asked for an update on the Local Delivery Vehicle (LDV) and how this was progressing in raising capital. Ms Hollister explained that an information memorandum had been sent to a number of banks before Christmas for funding options. Of those, three banks had expressed an interest and had asked for further information. The directorate was in communication with the banks on a daily basis. The LDV company would continue to be set up concurrently, and would also start to apply for charitable status.
52.3 Members queried how the LDV would intend to achieve its aims of supporting small businesses and offering apprenticeships. Mr Hibberd said that the council would strongly encourage the use of local businesses as sub-contractors and encourage sub-contractors to take on apprentices; local businesses would also be made aware of the opportunities that were there. The council would track the progress of this piece of work to ensure the objectives were being reached. The council would be working with Connexions, Job Centre Plus and City College to address this issue.
52.4 RESOLVED – That the report be noted
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Review of Learning Disability Day Services Report of the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing (copy to follow) Minutes: 53.1 The special circumstances for non-compliance with Council Procedure Rule 23, Access to Information Rule 5 and Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act as amended (items not considered unless the agenda is open to inspection at least five days in advance of the meeting) are that the department wished to allow the maximum time for consultation.
53.2 The committee heard that learning disability (LD) services were being shaped in line with the personalisation and reablement agendas. There was a proposal for an in-house Day Options Team to support clients in accessing more options for daily living.
The proposals would affect people with learning disabilities living in private residential homes. Residents in council-managed residential homes would continue to use day services in the same way that they currently did. The directorate had consulted widely on the proposals; they were supported by the Learning Disability Partnership Board and advocacy agencies. A full report was due to come to ASCHOSC in March 2009 for consultation.
53.3 The committee heard that in a study at Lancaster University of a similar change in LD services, service users had reported a vastly increased quality of life, and there had been a more efficient use of council resources.
53.4 RESOLVED – That the report be noted and a further report be brought in March 2009 for consultation.
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Report of the Director of Adult Social Care and Housing. (copy to follow)
Minutes: 54.1 The special circumstances for non-compliance with Council Procedure Rule 23, Access to Information Rule 5 and Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act as amended (items not considered unless the agenda is open to inspection at least five days in advance of the meeting) are that the report could not be concluded prior to the despatch of the agenda. 54.2 The committee received a summary report from Joy Hollister, Director of Adult Social Care and Housing. The final report was due to go to the Overview and Scrutiny Commission in February 2009, then on to Cabinet and to full Council. 54.3 The committee members did not have any questions at present. It was suggested that if they did have any queries, these should be addressed directly to Ms Hollister. 54.4 RESOLVED – That the report be noted.
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Update on ad hoc Panel (verbal report) Report of the Chairman of the ad hoc Panel. Minutes: 55.1 The Chairman of the ad-hoc Panel, Anne Meadows, verbally updated Members on the progress of the ad hoc Panel. The panel had had all of its public meetings and were now at the deliberation stage, considering appropriate recommendations. The draft report would be brought to the March ASCHOSC.
55.2 RESOLVED- That the update be noted and the draft report be brought to March ASCHOSC.
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ASCHSOSC Draft Work Plan (copy attached) Update on the ASCHOSC Work Plan – for approval. Minutes: 56.1 Members considered a proposed draft work plan for the next two meetings.
56.2 RESOLVED – That the draft plan be agreed.
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Items to go forward to Cabinet or the relevant Cabinet Member Meeting To consider items to be submitted to the next available Cabinet or Cabinet Member Meeting. Minutes: 57.1 There were none.
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Items to go forward to Council To consider items to be submitted to the next Council meeting for information. Minutes: 58.1 There were none.
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